Centrifugal casting machine



Jan. 23, 1934. L. A. CAMEROTA CENTRIFUGAL CASTING MACHINE Filed March 3l, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR- Lulzmeraf, B mx ATTORNEYS.

31111.23, 1934. L, A, CAMEROTA 1,944,168

CENTRIFUGAL CASTING MACHINE Filed March 3l, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Elch I- Jan. 23, 1934. y A, CAMEROTA' 1,944,168

CENTRIFUGAL CASTING MACHINE Filed March 51, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheerl 3 wif A TTORNEY.

'.Jan. 23, 1934. L A CAMEROTA 1,944,168

CENTRIFUGAL CASTING MACHINE Filed March 3l. 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 A TTORNE YS Patented Jan. 23, 1.934

UNITED STATES CENTRIFUGAL CASTING MACHINE Louis A. Camerota, Burlington, N. J., assignor to Walter Wood, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application March 31, 1932.

Serial No. 602,175

14 claims. (c1. zz-ss) This invention relates to centrifugal casting machines, and more particularly to apparatus for casting hollow metal bodies, such as iron pipe, in rotary molds. The invention in its preferred form is especially directed to a centrifugal pipe casting machine wherein two or more molds are simultaneously conveyed to operative positions within the machine, are then simultaneously rotated and simultaneously charged with molten l0 metal, and are thereafter simultaneously discharged from the machine.

' The principal object of the invention is to provide a more efficient and more economical apparatus for casting pipe or like hollow metal bodies. Heretofore for the centrifugal casting of pipe it has been customary to employ a battery or group of centrifugal casting machines, each comprising a motor, driving mechanism associated withthe motor and adapted to rotate one mold at a time, and mechanism including a ladle and spout adapted to pour one mold at a time. According to my present invention, the capacity of a centrifugal casting machine is increased without increase in the power or time required for its operation. This end I accomplish bythe provision of driving mechanism adapted to accommodate a plurality of molds and to rotate them together. and by the provision of means for simultaneously pouring such molds while in ro 3G tation. y

A further object of the invention is to provide in such a centrifugal casting machine means for,

mechanically conveying a set of molds in spaced parallel relation to operative engagement with the driving mechanism, said means being also preferably adapted to discharge Athe set of molds from the driving mechanism in a similar manner.

Still another object of the invention is to provide in such a centrifugal casting machine driving mechanism for effecting rotationvof the molds, which driving mechanism is capable of ready adjustment so that molds of large or small diameters may be accommodated with equal facility.

AOther more specific objects and advantages characterizing my invention will becomey more fully apparent from the description hereinafter of one embodiment or example ofthe invention as applied to a' machine for the centrifugal casting of iron pipe. The description which follows has reference to the accompanying drawings,

whereof:

Fig. I represents a plan view of a'centrifugal casting machine and of the flask runways leading to and from the machine. y

Fig. II represents a cross section of the same, taken as indicated b y the lines II-II of Fig. I.

Fig. III represents an enlarged side view of an automatic stop for regulating vthe admission of flasks to the centrifugal casting machine.

Fig. IV represents an end view of the'flask stop.

Figs. V, VI and VII each represent an enlarged vertical section of the flask carrier of the machine, the several views showing the carrier in different successive positions which it occupies in the operation of the machine.

Fig. VIII represents an enlarged end view of the bed frame of the machine, showing the positions occupied by the flask rollers when flasks of relatively small diameters are rotated thereon.

Fig. IX represents a similar end view of the bed frame, showing the positions occupied by the ask rollers when flasks of relatively large diameters are rotated thereon.

FigfX represents an enlarged, side view of an automatic check device at the discharge side of the machine, which permits the flasks to be progressed in only one direction; and,

Fig. XI represents an end View of the flask check device. In the drawings, wherein there is illustrated' one example of a centrifugal casting machine embodying my invention, the apparatus comprises generally a motor 1 connected to driving Avmechanism which is adapted to rotate a plural- 85 ity of pipe molds, the flasks of which are indicated in broken lines at 2, and mold charging mecha-.

nism comprehensively designated at 3. The drivover a pit 5. The motor 1 and one end of the bed frame 4 are shown supported on the working floor or lfoundation 6 adjacent to the pit, whereas the other end of the bed frame 4. is shown supported on a pedestal 7 within the pit. 'I'he asks 95- 2 are supported for rotation on bearings in the following/manner. Centrally of the bed frame at each end.v thereof, there are driving rollers 8 adapted to engage accurately machined annular surfaces 9 on the flasks 2. The driving rollers 8 100 are connected to each other as well as to the motor by a shaft-10 made up of a number of sections joined together by flexible couplings 11. At each side of the driving rollers 8 on the bed frame 4, idle rollers-12 are vmounted in transverse align- 105 ment with the driving rollers. Thus in the particular 4machine shown in the drawings, two iiasks` are rotated simultaneously about their respective axes on the-bed frame with operation of 'the motor 1. The asks 2 when mounted between 110 f gages guide flanges 14 on the iiasks 2'.

At the opposite end of the pit from that at which the motor 1 is located, there is a track 15,

' leading to the edge of the pit, on which a ladle car 16 is adapted to run. As clearly shown in Fig. II the ladle car 16 carries thereon pouring spouts 17, and a stand 18 having pivoted thereon a pair of interconnected ladles 19. The ladles are movable together about trunnions 20 to' effect discharge of molten metal into the pouring spouts 17. 'Ihe pouring spouts 17 are so disposed as to enter the bead ends of the flasks 2 when the ladle car is moved to the limit of its travel toward the pit 5.

To swing the pair of ladles 19 simultaneously about the trunnions 20, a cable 21 is employed, the

cable 21 having ahooked end 22 which engages a connecting bar 23 joining one ladle 19 with the other. The cable 21 passes upward through a guide sheave 24 around a movable sheave 25 to a point 26 where itis attached to a vertical beam 27. Mounted on a bracket 28 on the vertical beam 27 there is a pressure cylinder 29 having a plunger 30 to which the movable sheave 25 is attached. In an obvious manner by operation of the cylinder 29, the movable sheave 25 is raised or low- -ered with corresponding elevation or depression of the connecting bar 23 of the ladles 19: and thus the ladles 19 are swung about their trunnions 20 to deposit metal into the pouring spouts 17 from which the metal is simultaneously charged into the endsL of the two flasks which are in operative position on the machine.

On thestationary bed frame 4 there is mounted a mold carrier comprising generally a vertically movable roller table 31, and a horizontally movable flat plate 32 on the roller table 31. Vertical movement is imparted to the roller table 31 by 'neans of a hydraulic cylinder 33 mounted on the cylinder has a plunger 34 to the end of which is attached a cross head 35 operating on guide rods 36. To the cross head 35 are attache'd links 37 which join the ends of opposite pairs of crank arms 38. The crank arms 38 are fulcrumed for swinging movement within depending projections 39 of the bed frame 4. Each crank arm 38 is in turn pivotally connected to movable links 40, the ends of which are attached to a bottom frame 41. The bottom frame 4l is guided for vertical movement within the pit 5 by means of guide columns 42, which are movable within collars 43 on the bed frame 4. In an obvious manner, the actuation of the hydraulic elevating cylinder 33 causes the bottom frame 4l to be moved upward or downward through the above described linkage.

On the guide rods 36, lock nuts 44 are ernployed to limit the extent of the vertical movement of the roller table 3,1. Rigidly attached to the bottom frame 41, there are a series of Vertical rods 45 which lead upward through sleeves 46 at the sides of the bed frame 4 and through openings 47 centrally of the bed frame 4. At their upper ends, the vertical rods 45 are secured to outstanding flanges 48 of the roller table 31, as shown in Figs. V, VI and VII.

The roller table 31 has thereon a series/of rollers 49 disposed in double rows in a horizontal plane. Horizontal movement of the carrierplate 32 on the rollers 49 of the roller table 31 is effected by means of amadditional hydraulic cylinder 50 1ocated at one side of the bed frame 4. A plunger 51 of the hydraulic cylinder 50 terminates in a cross head 52 which is guided in its horizontal movement by rods 54. Connecting rods 55 are plvotally joined to the cross head 52 and at their other ends to depending brackets 56 on the flask carrier 32. In an obvious manner, actuation of the hydraulic cylinder 50 effects horizontal movement of the carrier plate 32 on the roller table 31.

At the right hand side of the flask carrier, as,

-pivoted .on shafts and spaced at` the inside of Each flask stop 59 is the rails 58 by spacers 61. adapted to be swung about its shaft 60. Each flask stop 59 is also provided with an elongated slot 62. Engaged within each slot 62 there is a pin 63 which is xed to a projection 64 at the end of the roller table 31. Accordingly, with upward movement of the roller table 31, the flask stops 59 are swung downward to positions beneath the top surfaces of the rails 58, whereas with downward movement of the roller table 31, the flask stops 59 are lswung upward to positions above the top surfaces of the rails 58.` Thus in an obvious manner, asks are prevented from being moved onto the rollers 8,12 except when the roller table 3l is in its elevated position.

At the opposite side of the machine, there is a discharge runway comprehensively designated at 65, comprising a pair of rails or skids 66. The rails 66 terminate at points adjacent to the idle rollers 8 at that side of the machine. As shown in Figs. V, VI and VII, and in more detail in Figs. X and XI, each discharge skid 66 is provided with a swinging check device 67. The swinging checks 67 are pivoted on shafts 68 and are spaced at the inside of the skids by spacing blocks 69. Each check device 67 is provided with a laterally projecting portion 70 having bottom surfaces 71 and 72 which alternatively engage the topof the spacing block 69 as flasks are'moved along the rails 66 in the direction of the arrow. It will be readily apparent that the check device 67, asshown in elevated position in Fig. X, can be swung downward in a counter-clockwise direction below the top surface of the rail 66 to the position shown in dotand-dash lines by movement of a flask in the direction of the arrow, but cannot be swung in the reverse or clockwisedirection, and hence prevents a flask from rolling backward onto the rollers 8, l2 of the machine.

The skids 58 and 66 of the supply and discharge runways 57 and 65 are shown in the form of ordinary rails and may be supported by pedestals or the like on the floor of the foundry. As appears in Fig. I, two Vsuch skids 58 of the supply runway are arranged in parallel relation close together at that side of the runway which is near the ladle actuating mechanism. In like manner, two skids 66 of the discharge runway 65 are arranged in parallel relation close together at the corresponding side of that runway. Accordingly, the flanges 14 of the asks 2 are engaged within the tracks vformed by the paired skids 58 and 66, and thus the fdasks 2 are guided in their movement with cesses 74 in the bearing stands 75 attached by brackets 76 to the top of the bed frame 4. The

shafts 77 of the idle rollers 12 are eccentrically mounted between the ends of the bearings 78 which are detachably fitted into additional recesses 79 in the top of the bearing stands 75. When the bearings 78 of the idle rollers 12 are mounted in the positions shown in Fig. VIII, thedistance between the lohgitudinal axes of the idle rollers 12 and the longitudinal axis o'f the driving roller- 8 is as indicated at the dimension line/a: in Fig. VIII. The bearings 73 and 78 are secured to the bearing stands by bolts 80. By reversal of the idle roller bearings 78 within theirI recesses 79, the distance between the axes of the idle rollers and the axis of the driving roller becomes as indicated at the dimension line y in Fig. IX. Ac-

cordingly, when the bearings 78 of the idle rollers are set in predetermined positions, such as shown in Fig. VIH, on the bearing stands 75, flasks )f relatively small diameters, varying within certain limits, can be accommodated for rotation; where-- as when the bearings 78 are set in the same position within the recesses 79 but are rever'sed as to their ends, they are adapted to accommodate fla sks o f, relatively large diameters.

The flask carrier plate 32 is shown in the present example of the invention provided with six flask receiving pockets a, b, c, d, e, f, consisting of paired lugs 81 having oppositely directed inclined surfaces 82. Other formations may obviously be employed on the flask carrier for the same purpose, it being understood that the series of pockets serves to carry the flasks 2 ln. predetermined spaced parallel relation from positions on the supply runway 57 to the rollers 8, l2 and from positions on the rollers 8, 12 to positions on the discharge runway 65.

The operation of the centrifugal casting Vmachine is as follows. Assuming thata pair of flasks are disposed on the rollers 8, 12 and that other flasks are lined upon theysupply runway 57, at the admission side of the machine, as shown in Fig. V, the machine is ready for operation. The pair of flasks on the rollers 8, 12 are caused to rotate at a high speed by operation of the motor 1. When rotating at the desired speed, the ladle car 16 is brought to a position at the edge of the pit 5 and the interconnected ladles 19 are tilted about their trunnions 20 to pour molten metal into the pouring spouts 17 from vwhence it flows simultaneously into the two molds, the flasks of which are mounted on the rollers 8, 12. After the`pair of flasks have been rotated for the desired length of time, the motor 1 is stopped. The elevating cylinder 33 of the roller table 31 is then lactuated to raise the roller table 31 to the position shown in Fig. V'I. Raising of Athe roller table 31 causes the llrst two flasks A, B in which the casting operation has taken place to be engagedV within the two end pockets a, b of the flask carrier plate 32. It also causes four additional flasks C, D, E and F to occupy positions in the remaining pockets c. d, e and f of the flask carrier plate 32 and tobe lifted oil' the supply. rails 58.

Upon actuation of the hydraulic'cylindero,

the flask carrier plate 32 is moved along the roller table until the flasks occupy the positions shown in Fig. VI. Thereafter the roller table 31 is depressed by actuation of the cylinder 33. Downward movement of the flask carrier causes the two flasks A and'B in which the casting operation has taken place to be deposited on the discharge rails 66, causes two empty flasks C andv D lto be deposited on the rollers 8, 12, and causes two other flasks E and F to beadvanced in position on the supply rails 58, the parts assuming the positions` shown in Fig. VII. flasks being in operative engagement with the driving mechanism, the machine is then ready for another casting operation, and the process may be' continued in like manner without interruption.

Obviously a freshl supply of flasks may be brought to the supply runway 58 in'any desired manner and charged flasks may be removed from the discharge runway 65 in any desired manner. It will be observed that incident to -the -upward movement of the roller table 31, the

automatic flask stop 59 is moved out of the way sosas not to interfere vwith the progression of the flasks onto the rollers 8, 12. Moreover, incident to the horizontal movement of the flask carrier p1ate'32, the flasks are caused to pass over the check device 67, causing vit tovk swing back and forth from its normal position, the check device preventing accidental reverse-movement of a flask, see Fig. X.

While I have described in some detail a particular mechanism by which the roller table 31 is elevated and depressed, and a particular mechanism for effecting horizontal movement of vthe ilask carrierl plate 32, it will be readily apparent that various other instrumentalities may vbe used to effect the desired result, and it is to be understood that the specific mechanism here illustrated and described is vbut one example of Two new!" the practice of the invention. Furthermore, the

nature of the runways which lead to and from the driving mechanism of the machine is such that many other forms of skids, conveyors or the like may be substituted therefor. In fact,

my invention contemplates a Variety of different types of mechanism to accomplish the various functions of the casting machine, all of which are considered `to be within krthe scope of the annexed claims. I

, -Having thus described my invention,l I claimz.

1. Apparatus for centrifugally casting hollow metal bodies comprising a frame, bearings thereon for supporting a plurality of molds with their axes in substantially horizontal and parallel relation, means for simultaneously rotatingv said molds,v and'a mold Vcarrier adapted to support a plurality of molds in spaced parallel relation to eachother, said carrier being movable transversely of said frame from aposition at the side thereof-to a position above said bearings and operable to deposit simultaneously on said bearings a set of molds to be charged.

2. Apparatus for centrifugally casting hollow metal bodies comprising a frame, bearings thereon for supporting a plurality of molds with their axes in substantially horizontal and parallel relation, means for simultaneously rotating said bearings a set of molds to be charged, and thereafter to discharge simultaneously from said bearings a set of charged molds. l

3. Apparatus for centrifugally casting hollow metal bodies comprising a frame, bearings thereon '-for supporting aplurality of molds with their axes in `s'ubstaxrtially horizontal and parallel relation, means for simultaneously rotating said molds, a mold supply runway leading to one`side of the apparatus, anda mold carrier adapted to support -a plurality of molds in spaced parallel relation to each other, said carrier being movable from the supply runway across said frame to said bearings, and means for raising and lowering said mold carrier whereby -molds may be lifted from the supply runway and deposited on said bearings. 4.' Apparatus for centrifugally casting hollow metal bodies comprising a frame, bearings thereon for supporting a plurality of molds with their axes in substantially horizontal and parallel relation, means for simultaneouslyv rotating said molds, a mold supply runway at one side of said bearings, a mold discharge runway at the other side of said bearings, and a mold carrier adapted n to support a ,plurality of molds in spaced parallel relation to each other, said carrier being movable across said frame from the ysupply runway to the discharge runway and operable to deposit simultaneously a set of molds to be charged on said bearings and to discharge simultaneously a set of.

charged molds from said bearings.

5. Apparatus for centrifugally casting hollow metal bodies comprising a frame, bearings thereon for supporting a plurality of molds with their axes in substantially horizontal and parallel relation, means for simultaneously rotating said molds, and a mold carrier adapted to support a plurality of molds in spaced parallel relation to each other, said carrier being movable trans-4 versely of said frame from a position at. the side of said frame, a carrier movable across the frame between lthe supply runway and discharge runway, said carrier being adapted to support a plurality of molds in spaced parallel relation to eachother, and means for -actuating the carrier to advance a set of molds from the supply runway to said bearings and concurrently to advance another set of molds froml said bearings to the discharge runway.

7. Apparatus for centrifugally casting hollow metal bodies comprising a frame, bearings thereon for supporting a plurality of molds with their axes in substantially horizontal and parallel relation, means for simultaneously rotating said molds, a mold supply runway at one side of said frame, a mold discharge runway at the other side of said frame, said runways being disposed at substantially the level of said bearings, a carrier movable horizontally betweenlthe supply runway anddischarge runway, said carrier being adapted to support a plurality of molds in spaced parallel relation to each other, means for moving the carrier horizontally to advance a set of molds from the supply runway to a position above said bearings and concurrently to advance another set o! molds from said bearings to the discharge runway, and means for moving the carrier vertically to lift the molds clear of said runways and bearings incident to said horizontal movement of the carrier.

8. Apparatus for centrifugally casting hollow metal bodies comprising a frame., bearings thereon for supporting a plurality of molds with their -axes in substantially horizontal and parallel relation, means forl simultaneously rotating said molds, a mold carrier including a table movable vertically on said frame beneath said bearings, and a conveyor movable horizontally on said table from one side of rthe frame to the other, said conveyor having spaced pockets for the reception of a plurality of molds, and means for lowering and raising said table thereby to deposit molds on said bearings and to discharge molds therefrom.

9. Apparatus for .centrifugally casting cylindrical metalbodies comprising airame, bearings thereon for supporting a mold in substantially horizontal position, means for rotating said mold, a mold supply runway leading to one side of said frame anddisposed above -the level of said bearings, a mold carrier movable from the supply runway to said bearings, means for raising and lowering said mold carrier, whereby molds may be lifted from the supplyrunway, transferred to and deposited on said bearings, and a stop on said f runway, said stop-being actuated by the movement of said carrier and being effective to prevent progression of molds along said runway except during the transfer operation of said carrier.

10. Apparatus for centrifugally casting cylindrical metal bodies comprising a frame, bearings thereon for supporting a mold in substantially horizontal position, means for rotating said mold, a mold supply runway leading to one side of said frame and disposed above the level of said bearings, a mold carrier movable from the supply runway to said bearings, means for raising and lowering said mold carrier, whereby molds may be lifted from the supply runway, transferred to and deposited on said' bearings, and a stop on said runway, said stop normally projecting above said runway to prevent progression of molds therealong but automatically receding to a position below said runway incident to the raising of said mold carrier.

11. Apparatus for centrifugally casting hollow cylindrical bodies comprising a frame, a series of rollers thereon for supportinga plurality of flasks with their axes in substantially horizontal and parallel relation, including a driving roller in frictional engagement with two adjacent iiasks, and means for rotating said driving roller.

12. VApparatus for centrifugally casting hollow cylindrical bodies comprising a frame, a series of rollers thereon for supporting a plurality of' flasks with their-axes in substantially horizontal and parallel relation, including a central driving roller in frictional engagement with two adjacent flasks, and idle rollers at each side of said driving roller, and means for rotating said driving roller.

13. Apparatus for centrifugally casting hollow metal bodies comprising a frame, sets of rollers disposed transversely thereon and adapted to support a cylindrical mold for revolution about its longitudinal axis, one set of rollers comprising driving rollers, and another comprising idle rollers, and bearings in the form of blocks detachably iitted to said frame transversely thereof for supporting the idle rollers, each said idle roller being eccentrically mounted between the ends of its bearing, and said bearings being reeach side thereof, and bearings in the form of blocks detachably fitted to said frame transversely thereof for supporting the idle rollers, each said idle roller being eccentrically Amounted between the ends of its bearing, and said bearings being reversible as to their ends, whereby molds of different diameters may be accommodated on said rollers.

DTA.

izo 

